System for containment and organization of medical wire

ABSTRACT

A system for containment and organization of a medical wire features a clamp. A first ridged and grooved clamping block is located on a clamp first side posterior end and a second ridged and grooved clamping block is located on a clamp second side posterior end. A first side compression member is located on an inside surface of a clamp first side and a second side compression member is located on an inside surface of the clamp second side. An adjustable ratcheting lock attaches the clamp first side and the clamp second side. A first finger grip is located on an outside surface of the clamp first side and a second finger grip is located on an outside surface of the clamp second side. A Medical wire is placed between the first side compression member and the second side compression member then the clamp is compressed against the medical wire.

CROSS REFERENCE

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/512,939 filed Oct. 13, 2014, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/040,305 filed Aug. 21, 2014,the specifications of which are incorporated herein in their entirety byreference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to medical devices, systems, and methods,and more specifically, medical wire devices, medical wire systems, andmethods of containing and organizing medical wire.

BACKGROUND

Wire used for medical purposes is carefully manufactured, sterilized,and sealed in a sterilized package in preparation for use. Once removedfrom the package, this wire can be difficult to handle and keep separatefrom other medical wires of a different size, especially in apressure-filled environment. It can even be slippery at times. Thepresent disclosure features a system and method for containment andorganization of medical wire.

Any feature or combination of features described herein are includedwithin the scope of the present disclosure provided that the featuresincluded in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as willbe apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge ofone of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects areapparent in the following detailed description and claims.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure features a system for containment andorganization of medical wire. In some embodiments, the system comprisesa clamp. In some embodiments, the clamp comprises a shape of a “U”. Insome embodiments, a first ridged and grooved clamping block is angularlylocated on a clamp first side posterior end and a second ridged andgrooved clamping block is angularly located on a clamp second sideposterior end. In some embodiments, the first ridged and groovedclamping block interfaces with the second ridged and grooved clampingblock upon closure of the clamp.

In some embodiments, the system comprises a first side compressionmember. In some embodiments, the first side compression member islocated on an inside surface of a clamp first side next to the firstridged and groove clamping block and projects out and away from theclamp first side toward a clamp second side. In some embodiments, thefirst side compression member comprises a shape of a rectangular prism.In some embodiments, the first side compression member is elastomeric.

In some embodiments, the system comprises a second side compressionmember. In some embodiments, the second side compression member islocated on an inside surface of the clamp second side next to the secondridged and groove clamping block and projects out and away from theclamp second side toward the clamp first side. In some embodiments, thesecond side compression member comprises a shape of a rectangular prism.In some embodiments, the second side compression member is elastomeric.

In some embodiments, the system comprises an adjustable ratcheting locklocated between and attaching the clamp first side and the clamp secondside. In some embodiments, a ratcheting lock first end is located on theinside surface of the clamp first side between the clamp first sideposterior end and a clamp anterior end and a ratcheting lock second endis located on the inside surface of the clamp second side between theclamp second side posterior end and the clamp anterior end.

In some embodiments, the system comprises a first finger grip located onan outside surface of the clamp first side opposed to the ratchetinglock first end and a second finger grip located on an outside surface ofthe clamp second side opposed to the ratcheting lock second end.

In some embodiments, medical wire is placed in an open clamp between thefirst side compression member and the second side compression member. Insome embodiments, the clamp is closed having the first ridged andgrooved clamping block interlocked against the second ridged and groovedclamping block. In some embodiments, the adjustable ratcheting lock istightened via manually pinching the clamp via the first finger grip andthe second finger grip to compress the first side compression member andthe second side compression member against the medical wire for securelyholding into position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of one embodiment of the present invention, inthe open position.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the embodiment, in the closed position.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the embodiment, in the open position, witha medical wire.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the embodiment, in the closed position, witha medical wire.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the embodiment, in the open position.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the embodiment, in the closedposition, with a medical wire.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a compressionmember.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a compressionmember.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A list of possible elements shown in the drawings and corresponding toelements described below are included herein:

100 Medical wire containment and organization system

110 Medical wire

115 Body

120 Clamp

121 Clamp first side

122 Clamp second side

123 Clamp first side posterior end

124 Clamp second side posterior end

125 Clamp anterior end

126 Clamp posterior end

131 First ridged and grooved clamping block

132 Second ridged and grooved clamping block

141 First side compression member

142 Second side compression member

150 Ratcheting lock

151 Ratcheting lock first end

152 Ratcheting lock second end

161 First finger grip

162 Second finger grip

170 Gap

172 First surface

174 Second surface

182 Groove

184 Ridge

190 First material

192 Second material

194 Minimum width for wedge-shaped compression member

196 Maximum width for wedge-shaped compression member

Referring now to FIG. 1-6, one embodiment of the present inventionfeatures a system (100) for containment and organization of medicalwire. In some embodiments, the system (100) comprises a clamp (120)having a clamp first side (121), a clamp second side (122), a clampanterior end (125), and a clamp posterior end (126). In someembodiments, the clamp (120) may comprise a shape of a “U”. In someembodiments, the clamp (120) may comprise a terminating clamp first sideposterior end (123) located on the clamp first side (121) at the clampposterior end (126), a terminating clamp second side posterior end (124)located on the clamp second side (122) at the clamp posterior end (126),with the arcuate clamp anterior end (125) joining the clamp first side(121) to the clamp second side (122). In some embodiments, a firstridged and grooved clamping block (131) may be angularly located on theclamp first side posterior end (123) and a second ridged and groovedclamping block (132) may be angularly located on the clamp second sideposterior end (124). In some embodiments, the first ridged and groovedclamping block (131) may mate and/or interface with the second ridgedand grooved clamping block (132) upon closure of the clamp (120). Insome embodiments, the first ridged and grooved clamping block (131) andthe second ridged and grooved clamping block (132) may be positioned ata 90 degree angle with respect to the clamp first side (121) and theclamp second side (122), respectively. In some embodiments, the firstridged and grooved clamping block (131) and the second ridged andgrooved clamping block (132) may be positioned at a 75 degree angle withrespect to the clamp first side (121) and the clamp second side (122),respectively. In some embodiments, the first ridged and grooved clampingblock (131) and the second ridged and grooved clamping block (132) maybe positioned at a 60 degree angle with respect to the clamp first side(121) and the clamp second side (122), respectively. In someembodiments, the first ridged and grooved clamping block (131) and thesecond ridged and grooved clamping block (132) may be positioned at a 45degree angle with respect to the clamp first side (121) and the clampsecond side (122), respectively. In some embodiments, the first ridgedand grooved clamping block (131) and the second ridged and groovedclamping block (132) may be positioned at a 105 degree angle withrespect to the clamp first side (121) and the clamp second side (122),respectively. In some embodiments, the first ridged and grooved clampingblock (131) and the second ridged and grooved clamping block (132) maybe positioned at a 120 degree angle with respect to the clamp first side(121) and the clamp second side (122), respectively. In someembodiments, the first ridged and grooved clamping block (131) and thesecond ridged and grooved clamping block (132) may be positioned at a135 degree angle with respect to the clamp first side (121) and theclamp second side (122), respectively.

In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise a first sidecompression member (141). In some embodiments, the first sidecompression member (141) may be located on an inside surface of theclamp first side (121) next to the first ridged and grooved clampingblock (131) and project out and away from the clamp first side (121)toward the clamp second side (122). In some embodiments, the first sidecompression member (141) may comprise a shape of a rectangular prism. Insome embodiments, the first side compression member (141) may beelastomeric.

In some embodiments the first side compression member (141) may beconstructed of foam. In some embodiments the first side compressionmember (141) may be constructed of rubber. In some embodiments the firstside compression member (141) may be constructed of latex. In someembodiments the first side compression member (141) may comprise aplanar interfacing surface.

In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise a second sidecompression member (142). In some embodiments, the second sidecompression member (142) may be located on an inside surface of theclamp second side (122) next to the second ridged and grooved clampingblock (132) and project out and away from the clamp second side (122)toward the clamp first side (121). In some embodiments, the second sidecompression member (142) may comprise a shape of a rectangular prism. Insome embodiments, the second side compression member (142) may beelastomeric.

In some embodiments the second side compression member (142) may beconstructed of foam. In some embodiments the second side compressionmember (142) may be constructed of rubber. In some embodiments thesecond side compression member (142) may be constructed of latex. Insome embodiments the second side compression member (142) may comprise aplanar interfacing surface.

In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise an adjustableratcheting lock (150) located between and attaching the clamp first side(121) and the clamp second side (122) in a releasable manner. In someembodiments, a ratcheting lock first end (151) may be located on theinside surface of the clamp first side (121) between the clamp firstside posterior end (123) and the clamp anterior end (125) and aratcheting lock second end (152) may be located on the inside surface ofthe clamp second side (122) between the clamp second side posterior end(124) and the clamp anterior end (125). In some embodiments, theadjustable ratcheting lock (150) may comprise a plurality of settingscorresponding to a level of compression between the first sidecompression member (141) and the second side compression member (142).

In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise a first finger grip(161) located on an outside surface of the clamp first side (121)opposed to the ratcheting lock first end (151) and a second finger grip(162) located on an outside surface of the clamp second side (122)opposed to the ratcheting lock second end (152).

In some embodiments, medical wire (110) may be placed in an open clamp(120) between the first side compression member (141) and the secondside compression member (142). In some embodiments, the clamp (120) maybe closed having the first ridged and grooved clamping block (131)interfacing and interlocked against the second ridged and groovedclamping block (132). In some embodiments, the adjustable ratchetinglock (150) may be tightened via manually pinching the clamp (120) viathe first finger grip (161) and the second finger grip (162) to compressthe first side compression member (141) and the second side compressionmember (142) against the medical wire (110) for securely holding themedical wire (110) in position.

In some embodiments, the first side compression member (141) may belocated on the inside surface of the clamp first side (121) and thesecond side compression member (142) may be located on the insidesurface of the clamp second side (122). The compression members (141,142) may be secured to the first and second sides (121, 122) by anadhesive such as a water resistant adhesive, or a saline compatibleadhesive.

In some embodiments, the first side compression member (141) may belocated on the inside surface of the clamp first side (121) and thesecond side compression member (142) may be located on the insidesurface of the clamp second side (122), wherein the compression members(141, 142) are secured to the first and second sides (121, 122) via amechanical fastening, such as a bolt, staple, or fingers extending fromthe first and second sides (121, 122).

In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a medicalwire (110).

In some embodiments, the medical wire (110) may be an interventionalprocedure wire.

In some embodiments, the medical wire (110) may be a cardiaccatheterizing wire.

In some embodiments, the medical wire (110) may be a hydrophilic wire.

In some embodiments, the medical wire (110) may be a micro wire.

In some embodiments, the medical wire (110) may be a guide wire.

In some embodiments, the medical wire (110) may be a catheter.

In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a catheterand guide wire bowl. In some embodiments, the system (100) may furthercomprise a bowl.

In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise a pluralityof clamps (120). In some embodiments, the system (100) may furthercomprise a plurality of color coded clamps (120). In some embodiments,the system (100) may further comprise a plurality of labeled clamps(120).

In some embodiments, the system (100) may further comprise an indicatorlocated on each clamp (120) for indicating wire type or size.

In some embodiments, the indicator may be a unique color.

A method of containment and organization of a medical wire may compriseobtaining a system (100) for containment and organization of a medicalwire comprising a clamp (120) having a clamp first side (121), a clampsecond side (122), a clamp anterior end (125), and a clamp posterior end(126). In some embodiments, the clamp (120) may comprise a shape of a“U”. In some embodiments, the clamp (120) may comprise a terminatingclamp first side posterior end (123) located on the clamp first side(121) at the clamp posterior end (126), a terminating clamp second sideposterior end (124) located on the clamp second side (122) at the clampposterior end (126), with the arcuate clamp anterior end (125) joiningthe clamp first side (121) to the clamp second side (122). In someembodiments, a first ridged and grooved clamping block (131) may beangularly located on the clamp first side posterior end (123) and asecond ridged and grooved clamping block (132) may be angularly locatedon the clamp second side posterior end (124). In some embodiments, thefirst ridged and grooved clamping block (131) may mate with and/orinterface with the second ridged and grooved clamping block (132) uponclosure of the clamp (120). In some embodiments, the system (100) maycomprise a first side compression member (141). In some embodiments, thefirst side compression member (141) may be located on an inside surfaceof the clamp first side (121) next to the first ridged and groovedclamping block (131) and projects out and away from the clamp first side(121) toward the clamp second side (122). In some embodiments, the firstside compression member (141) may comprise a shape of a rectangularprism. In some embodiments, the first side compression member (141) maybe elastomeric. In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise asecond side compression member (142). In some embodiments, the secondside compression member (142) may be located on an inside surface of theclamp second side (122) next to the second ridged and grooved clampingblock (132) and projects out and away from the clamp second side (122)toward the clamp first side (121). In some embodiments, the second sidecompression member (142) may comprise a shape of a rectangular prism. Insome embodiments, the second side compression member (142) may beelastomeric. In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise anadjustable ratcheting lock (150) located between and releasablyattaching the clamp first side (121) and the clamp second side (122). Insome embodiments, a ratcheting lock first end (151) may be located onthe inside surface of the clamp first side (121) between the clamp firstside posterior end (123) and the clamp anterior end (125) and aratcheting lock second end (152) is located on the inside surface of theclamp second side (122) between the clamp second side posterior end(124) and the clamp anterior end (125). In some embodiments, the system(100) may comprise a first finger grip (161) located on an outsidesurface of the clamp first side (121) opposed to the ratcheting lockfirst end (151) and a second finger grip (162) located on an outsidesurface of the clamp second side (122) opposed to the ratcheting locksecond end (152). In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise amedical wire (110). In some embodiments, the system (100) may comprise acatheter and guide wire bowl.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise removing the medical wire(110) from its sterile packaging.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise placing the medical wire(110) in an open clamp (120) between the first side compression member(141) and the second side compression member (142) in either a straightor a looped position having at least one strand of the medical wire(110) in contact with the first side compression member (141) and thesecond side compression member (142).

In some embodiments, the method may comprise closing the clamp (120)with the first ridged and grooved clamping block (131) interfacinglyinterlocked against the second ridged and grooved clamping block (132).

In some embodiments, the method may comprise tightening the clamp (120)with the adjustable ratcheting lock (150) via manually pinching theclamp (120) via the first finger grip (161) and the second finger grip(162) to compress the first side compression member (141) and the secondside compression member (142) against the medical wire (110) forsecurely holding into position.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise placing the clamp (120)with the medical wire (110) into the catheter and guide wire bowl inpreparation for use.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise discarding the clamp (120)after a single use.

In some embodiments, the method may comprise a plurality of clamps (120)used with a plurality of medical wires (110). In some embodiments, theplurality of clamps (120) may comprise a unique indicator located oneach clamp (120) for indicating wire type or size. These uniqueindicators may assist in identifying the each clamp (120) and theassociated medical wire (110) restrained by the clamp (120).

In another embodiment, the clamp (120) may comprise a body (115) havingthe first side element (121) and the second side element (122). Thefirst side element (121) and the second side element (122) may beconnected by an anterior end (125). The body (115) of the clamp (120)may be movable from an open position to a closed position. When the body(115) is in the open position, as shown in FIG. 1, the first sideelement (121) and the second side element (122) are separated by a gap(170). When the body (115) is in the closed position, as shown in FIG.2, the first side element (121) and the second side element (122) may becloser together, and may have even closed the gap (170).

The first compression member (141) may be coupled to the inner surfaceof the first side element (121), and the second compression member (142)may be coupled to the inner surface of the second side element (122).The first and second compression members (141, 142) may project inwardlyfrom the respective first and second side elements (121, 122), and maycomprise a respective first surface (172) and a second surface (174)arranged such that when a medical wire is positioned in the gap (170)between the first surface and the second surface, the body (115) may bemoved to the closed position. When or before the body (115) reaches theclosed position, at least one of the first and second compressionmembers (141, 142) may deform to accommodate the medical wire (110).This deformation may occur due to compression of one or both of thecompression members (141, 142). While the body (115) remains in theclosed position, the movement of the medical wire (110) in or out of theclamp (120) may be restricted between the first and second compressionmembers (141, 142). The internal resistance of the first and secondcompression members (141, 142) to compression or deformation may apply aforce to the medical wire (110) to restrict its movement and hold it inplace.

The first and second compression members (141, 142) may be made of amaterial such that the first and second compression members (141, 142)are responsive to deform when a force between 0.25 pounds and 5.0 poundsis applied. The first and second compression members (141, 142) maycomprise a foam material, such as a sponge, a rubber material, or someother deformable material. To prevent fragments of the first and secondcompression members (141, 142) from breaking off and attaching to themedical wire (110), it may be advantageous that the first and secondcompression members (141, 142) comprise closed cell foam, wherein theempty cells within the foam's interior are not exposed on the first orsecond surfaces (172, 174). Alternatively, open cell foam may beadvantageous where greater deformation of the first and secondcompression members (141, 142) is needed with less force being applied.In some embodiments, it may be advantageous that the first and secondcompression members (141, 142) are each made from different materials(190, 192) having different compressive abilities, as shown in FIG. 7.Such an embodiment may be useful where, for example, it is desirablethat the medical wire (110) should be forced closer to the first sideelement (121) or second side element (122) when the body (115) is placedin the closed position.

The first and second compression members (141, 142) may be arranged onthe inner surface of the respective first and second side elements (121,122) projecting inwardly to a maximum thickness. This thickness may bebetween about 0.3 cm and 1.5 cm. Compression members (141, 142) havinggreater thickness may be advantageous to allow for greater deformationor compression when receiving the medical wire (110) and therefore,maintain a better grip on the medical wire (110) contained between thecompression members (141, 142). The thickness of the compression members(141, 142) may be limited so that they do not completely occlude the gap(170) when the body (115) is in the open position, so that the medicalwire (110) may still be easily moved between the first and secondcompression members (141, 142) while the body (115) is in the openposition.

The first and second compression members (141, 142) may also have awidth between about 0.3 cm and 1.4 cm. Compression members (141, 142)having greater width may be able to better secure the medical wire(110). Therefore, it may be advantageous that the compression members(141, 142) have a width which exceeds the width of the first and secondside elements (121, 122). Alternatively, it may be desirable that thecompression members (141, 142) have a “wedge-shape”, wherein the widthexpands as the compression member (141, 142) extends inwardly, as shownin FIG. 8. In such an embodiment, the width of the first and secondsurfaces (172, 174) may define the maximum width (196) of thecompression members (141, 142).

The thickness of the first and second compression members (141, 142) mayvary from the posterior end to the anterior end of the compressionmembers (141, 142). Such variation may be advantageous to allow thesurfaces (172, 174) of the compression members (141, 142) to besubstantially coplanar when the body (115) is placed in the closedposition. Accordingly, the gap (170) between the compression members(141, 142) while the body (115) is in the open position may also vary.For embodiments similar to FIG. 1, the gap (170) is likely to be largeron the posterior side of the compression members (141, 142), and smalleron the anterior side of the compression members (141, 142). The size ofthe gap may vary between about 0.1 cm and 1.7 cm. Similarly, thethickness of the compression members (141, 142) may vary from theposterior end to the anterior of the compression members (141, 142). Asshown in FIG. 1, the anterior end of the compression members (141, 142)may have the maximum thickness and the posterior end of the compressionmembers (141, 142) may have the minimum thickness. The compressibilityof the compression members (141, 142) may vary according to thethickness of the compression members (141, 142).

Additionally, it may be desirable that the first and second compressionmembers (141, 142) have different widths, so that when the first andsecond compression members (141, 142) contact one another, the wider ofthe first and second surfaces (172, 174) covers the entire width of thenarrower of the first and second surfaces (172, 174). The wider of thefirst and second surfaces may also extend beyond the width of thenarrower surface (172, 174). Therefore, when body (115) is moved to theclosed position so that when the medical wire (110) is restrainedbetween the compression members (141, 142), a first restricting force isdirected on the medical wire (110) directed on the portion of themedical wire (110) which overlaps both compression members (141, 142).Additionally, a second force may also be directed to where the medicalwire (110) overlaps the portion of the wider surface (172, 174) but notoverlapping the narrower surface (172, 174).

In some embodiments, it may be desirable that at least one of the firstand second compression members (141, 142) comprise a plurality ofmaterials (190, 192) stacked inwardly upon each other, where each of theplurality of materials (190, 192) has a different compressibility. Forexample, an embodiment could comprise one or both compression members(141, 142) having a contacting material (190) which is stacked inwardfrom a base material (192). Depending on the function of the compressionmembers (141, 142) and the characteristics of the medical wire (110) thecompression members (141, 142) are configured to receive, one of thematerials (190, 192) may have a greater compressibility than the othermaterial (190, 192). In an embodiment where the contacting material(190) has greater compressibility, the compression members (141, 142)may easily conform to the shape of the medical wire (110) when the body(115) is placed in the closed position and resist the movement of themedical wire (110) in the vertical direction as well as the length-wisedirection. Alternatively, an embodiment where the base material (192)has greater compressibility may be desirable. Such an arrangement mayreduce the amount by which the compression members (141, 142) wouldconform to the shape of the medical wire (110), however, it may alsoallow for substantial compression while applying the force ofcompression more evenly across the first and second surfaces (172, 174)of the compression members (141, 142). This may be desirable where thefirst and second surfaces (172, 174) are arranged to capture the medicalwire (110) in a groove (182) or receiving element. In some embodiments,similar effects as those described above may be accomplished bycompression members (141, 142) having more than two materials (190,192), or by compression members (141, 142) having a compressibilitygradient which varies with the thickness of the compression member (141,142).

The first and second surfaces (172, 174) may comprise a surfacetreatment to better capture and restrain the medical wire (110) whilethe body (115) is in the closed position. The surface treatment may be acoating with a material having a high coefficient of friction, acollection of surface irregularities, such as pits and projections,arranged on the first and second surfaces (172, 174), or a series ofgrooves (184) and ridges (182) arranged along a portion of the first andsecond surfaces (172, 174).

One of the first or second surfaces (172, 174) may comprise a series ofgrooves (184) and ridges (182). The other of the first and secondsurfaces (172, 174) may be flat, or may comprise another series ofgrooves (184) and ridges (182). Where there are grooves (184) and ridges(182) on both the first and second surfaces (172, 174), it may bedesirable that these grooves (184) interlock, causing the gap (170) tobe completely closed when the body (115) is placed in the closedposition. The medical wire (110) may be placed within the clamp (120)spanning the width of the first and second surfaces (172, 174). Thegrooves (184) and ridges (182) alternatively may be arranged to span thelength or a portion of the length of the first or second surface (172,174) to apply the force of compression to focused areas of the medicalwire (110), as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, the grooves (184) andridges (182) may be arranged to span the width or a portion of the widthof the first and second surfaces (172, 174) to capture the medical wire(110) within the groove (184) and restrain the lengthwise movement ofthe medical wire (110), as shown in FIG. 8. Additionally, where thegrooves (184) and ridges (182) are arranged spanning the width of thefirst and second surfaces (172, 174), it may be desirable that thegrooves (184) and ridges (182) are arranged in a planform arc across thewidth of the first and second surfaces (172, 174) so that the coiledmedical wire (110) may be accommodated within the grooves (184).Furthermore, it may be desirable that the grooves (184) and ridges (182)have varying arcs to accommodate coils of medical wires (110) havingvarying diameters.

As discussed above, some embodiments of the clamp (120) may compriseclamping blocks (123, 124) extending inwardly from the posterior end ofthe first and second side elements (121, 122). The clamping blocks (123,124) may be made of a substantially rigid material and the inward end ofeach clamping block (123, 124) may be in contact when the body (115) ismoved to the closed position. The inward end of each clamping block(123, 124) may define the limit of the movement of the body (115) to theclosed position. While the body (115) is in the closed position, theclamping blocks (123, 124) may define a rigid wall which preventsmovement of the medical wire (110) from passing through the posteriorend (126) of the clamp (120). To further accomplish this purpose, theinward ends of the clamping blocks (123, 125) may comprise interlockinggrooves.

In some embodiments, at least one of the compression members (141, 142)may extend inward beyond the inward ends of the clamping blocks (123,124). The result of this arrangement of the compression members (141,142) is that when the body (115) is moved to the closed position, therewill be at least some compression of the compression members (141, 142)even where no medical wire (110) is placed between the compressionmembers (141, 142).

In some embodiments, it may be desirable that the first and secondcompression members (141, 142) make substantially planar contact witheach other as the body (115) is moved to the closed position.Substantially planar contact may mean that the entirety of the surfaces(172, 174) of the compression members (141, 142) which overlap while thebody (115) is in the closed position, come in contact with each othersubstantially simultaneously as the body (115) is moved to the closedposition. An advantage of this may be that such an arrangement mayprovide even compression between the compression members (141, 142) andmay distribute compression evenly across the first and second surfaces(172, 174). Even distribution of the compression of the compressionmembers (141, 142) may more effectively restrain the movement of themedical wire (110) by restraining it in a particular spot between thecompression members (141, 142). Alternatively, the compression members(141, 142) may be arranged such that the posterior or anterior ends ofthe surfaces (172, 174) of the compression members (141, 142) makecontact before other areas of the surfaces (172, 174). Such anembodiment may cause unequal compression of the compression members(141, 142) and may be desirable to apply additional force to one of theanterior or posterior ends of the compression member (141, 142) andprevent movement of the medical wire (100) disposed between thecompression members (141, 142) in a specific direction.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable that the body (115) of theclamp (120) is biased to the open position, such that unless force isbeing applied to the clamp (120), the clamp (120) is able to receive themedical wire (110) between the compression members (141, 142).Furthermore, to restrain the movement of the captured medical wire (110)between the compression members (141, 142) while the body (115) is inthe closed position, it may be desirable to include a lock coupled tothe body (115) of the clamp (120) to maintain the body (115) in theclosed position. The lock may comprise a number of mechanisms adapted tomaintain the body (115) in the closed position, such as the ratchetinglock (150) described above. To avoid interfering with the positioning ofthe medical wire (110) in the gap (170), it may be advantageous toposition the lock in a position anterior from the compression members(141, 142).

As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus 10% of thereferenced number.

Various modifications, in addition to those described herein, will beapparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description.Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of theappended claims. Each reference cited in the present application isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment, itwill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modificationsmay be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appendedclaims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited bythe following claims. Reference numbers recited in the claims areexemplary and for ease of review by the patent office only, and are notlimiting in any way. In some embodiments, the figures presented in thispatent application are drawn to scale, including the angles, ratios ofdimensions, etc. In some embodiments, the figures are representativeonly and the claims are not limited by the dimensions of the figures. Insome embodiments, descriptions using the phrase “comprising” includesembodiments that could be described as “consisting of”, and as such thewritten description requirement for claiming one or more embodimentsusing the phrase “consisting” of is met.

We claim:
 1. A clamp comprising: a body comprising a first side elementand a second side element connected to one another at an anterior end,wherein the body is movable from an open position to a closed position;a first compression member coupled to an inner surface of the first sideelement and having a first surface; and a second compression membercoupled to a second inner surface of the second side element and havinga second surface; wherein the first surface and the second surface arearranged such that when a medical wire is positioned between the firstsurface and the second surface, and the body is moved to the closedposition, the first surface and the second surface contact one anotherand at least one of the first compression member and the secondcompression member deform to restrain the medical wire; and wherein thefirst compression member and the second compression member each have awidth which is larger than a width of the first side element and a widthof the second side element.
 2. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the firstside element comprises a first clamping block extending inwardly from afirst posterior end of the first side element, and the second sideelement comprises a second clamping block extending inwardly from asecond posterior end of the second side element, and wherein the firstclamping block and the second clamping block are in contact with oneanother when the body is in the closed position.
 3. The clamp of claim2, wherein the first clamping block and the second clamping blockcomprise interlocking ridges and grooves.
 4. The clamp of claim 2,wherein at least one of the first compression member and the secondcompression member extend inwardly further than the respective firstclamping block or second clamping block.
 5. The clamp of claim 1,wherein at least one of the first compression member and the secondcompression member deform when the body is moved to the closed positionwhen a medical wire is not present.
 6. The clamp of claim 1, wherein thebody is arranged such that as the body is moved toward the closedposition, the first surface of the first compression member and thesecond surface of the second compression member make substantiallyplanar contact with each other.
 7. The clamp of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the first surface and the second surface comprises asurface treatment configured to restrict movement of the medical wirewhile the body is in the closed position.
 8. The clamp of claim 7,wherein the surface treatment comprises a plurality of interlockingridges and grooves, each of the interlocking ridges and grooves arrangedlengthwise on each of the first surface and the second surface.
 9. Theclamp of claim 7, wherein the surface treatment comprises a plurality ofinterlocking ridges and grooves, each of the interlocking ridges andgrooves arranged widthwise on each of the first surface and the secondsurface.
 10. The clamp of claim 9, wherein the interlocking ridges andgrooves form a planform arc configured to accommodate a coiled medicalwire.
 11. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the body is biased towards theopen position.
 12. The clamp of claim 11, wherein the body furthercomprises a lock to maintain the body in the closed position.
 13. Theclamp of claim 1, wherein the first compression member and the secondcompression member are responsive to deform when a force between about0.25 pounds and 5.0 pounds is applied.
 14. The clamp of claim 1, whereinthe first compression member and the second compression member compriseclosed cell foam.
 15. A clamp comprising: a body comprising a first sideelement and a second side element connected to one another at ananterior end, wherein the body is movable from an open position to aclosed position; a first compression member coupled to an inner surfaceof the first side element and having a first surface; and a secondcompression member coupled to a second inner surface of the second sideelement and having a second surface; wherein the first surface and thesecond surface are arranged such that when a medical wire is positionedbetween the first surface and the second surface, and the body is movedto the closed position, the first surface and the second surface contactone another and at least one of the first compression member and thesecond compression member deform to restrain the medical wire, whereineach of the first compression member and the second compression memberhave a width which increases extending inwardly.
 16. A system forrestraining a medical wire comprising: a plurality of clamps, each ofthe plurality of clamps comprising a body comprising a first sideelement and a second side element connected to one another at ananterior end, wherein the body is movable from an open position to aclosed position, a first compression member coupled to an inner surfaceof the first side element and having a first surface, and a secondcompression member coupled to a second inner surface of the second sideelement and having a second surface, wherein the first surface and thesecond surface are arranged such that when the body is moved to theclosed position, the first compression member is in contact with thesecond compression member and both the first compression member and thesecond compression member are compressed; and wherein each of theplurality of clamps has a unique identifying element; and wherein eachof the first compression member and the second compression member have awidth which increases extending inwardly.
 17. The system of claim 16,wherein each of the plurality of clamps further comprises a lockpositioned on the body posterior from the first compression member andthe second compression member wherein the lock maintains the body in theclosed position.
 18. A clamp comprising; a body comprising a first sideelement having a first clamping block extending inwardly from a firstposterior end of the first side element, and a second side elementhaving a second clamping block extending inwardly from a secondposterior end of the second side element; wherein the first side elementand the second side element are connected to one another at an anteriorend, and wherein the body is movable from an open position to a closedposition; a first compression member coupled to an inner surface of thefirst side element and having a first surface; a second compressionmember coupled to a second inner surface of the first side element andhaving a second surface; wherein the closed position is defined by anarrangement wherein the first clamping block is in contact with thesecond clamping block, and wherein the first compression member is incontact with the second compression member when the body is in theclosed position; and wherein at least one of the first compressionmember or the second compression member comprises a plurality ofmaterials stacked inwardly upon each other, each of the plurality ofmaterials having a different compressibility.
 19. The clamp of claim 18,wherein the body further comprises a first grip arranged on a firstouter surface of the first side element, and a second grip arranged on asecond outer surface of the second side element.
 20. The clamp of claim18, wherein the first compression member and the second compressionmember have different widths.